Sen. Laura Murphy

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history; contains provisions governing this instruction. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-21 Removes the provisions relating to the history of the United States.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Modifies provisions concerning emergency powers to further allow the Secretary of State to adopt emergency rules concerning the expiration dates of driver's licenses, driving permits, monitoring device driving permits, restricted driving permits, identification cards, disabled parking placards and decals, and vehicle registrations. Removes provisions requiring the Governor to issue a statewide disaster proclamation in order for the Secretary of State to exercise specified powers. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. Repeals provisions on January 1, 2022. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Increases the maximum per capita amount for State Librarian grants to public libraries from $1.25 per capita to $1.475 per capita. Increases State Librarian grants to school libraries from $0.75 per student to $0.885 per student and provides that the State Librarian shall endeavor to provide each school district that has a qualifying school library a total grant of at least $850 (rather than $750). Effective immediately.

Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Repeals a provision that makes the Article inoperative on and after June 30, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that the program of health benefits may offer as an alternative, available on an optional basis, coverage through health maintenance organizations or other managed care programs. Provides that the election to participate in a program of health benefits under the Act must be made during the annual benefit choice period or upon showing a qualifying change in status as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Further modifies the conditions of eligibility to participate in a program of health benefits. Provides that refunds to members for premiums paid for optional life insurance coverage may be paid from the Group Insurance Premium Fund. Makes other changes concerning a program of health benefits as provided under the Act. Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Central Management Services to prepare a report showing, on a fiscal year by fiscal year basis, the amount by which the State's cost for health insurance coverage under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 for retirees of the State's universities and their survivors has declined as a result of requiring some of those retirees and survivors to contribute to the cost of their basic health insurance. Effective July 1, 2021.

Urges Illinois long-term care facilities to uphold and adhere to federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and guidance on a resident's standards of care, rights, protections, and inalienable right to be treated with respect, dignity, and quality care.

Declares March 24, 2021 as Equal Pay Day, August 3, 2021 as Black Women's Equal Pay Day, September 8, 2021 as Native American Women's Equal Pay Day, and October 21, 2021 as Latina Equal Pay Day.

Urges the General Assembly and the Governor's Administration to invest our transportation and infrastructure dollars as promised under Rebuild Illinois to make good on our collective commitment to fix our roads, bridges, and schools while creating jobs and opportunities for all residents of Illinois.

Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that employees shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. Provides that no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and work place safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment. Provides that these provisions are controlling over home rule powers. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Creates the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act. Contains provisions for: the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program; accessibility and transparency; process for further prioritizing applicants for financial assistance and housing stability services; and required notifications and correspondence. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes changes concerning the sealing of court files. Provides that certain new provisions concerning sealing of court files in a residential eviction action apply until August 1, 2022. Contains provisions for: the sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action; emergency sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action during the COVID-19 emergency and economic recovery period; and a temporary COVID-19 stay of certain foreclosure proceedings and filings. Makes corresponding changes to a provision regarding demand for rent and eviction actions. Makes corresponding changes in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the definition of "administering State agency" to any agency or department of the State that is eligible to receive a direct federal allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds that will disburse funds and administer all or a portion of the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Deletes the definition of "recipient" or "program recipient". Provides that any State agency administering the program shall provide rental assistance (rather than "program recipients with relief payments") in an amount based on stated need rather than on a flat or fixed amount. Provides that the administering State agency shall make any joint program application forms available. Deletes language requiring the administering State agency to make program application forms for utility providers available. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877 House Amendment 1. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that in distribution of the remaining funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act, the State Board of Elections may make such funds available to election authorities for the maintenance of secure collection sites for the return of vote by mail ballots. Allows election authorities to establish curb-side voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting or on election day. Provides that an election authority's curb-side voting program shall designate at least 2 election judges from opposite parties per vehicle and the individual must have the option to mark the ballot without interference from the election judges. Requires election authorities to accept any vote by mail ballot returned, including ballots returned with insufficient or no postage. Allows election authorities to establish secure collection sites for postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Provides for the collection and processing of vote by mail ballots submitted to collection sites. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish additional guidelines for the security of collection sites. Effective immediately.